Prime Minister Julia Gillard hailed "great mateship at a difficult time" during a visit to bushfire-hit Tasmania today, as a makeshift flotilla ferried supplies into the cut-off Tasman Peninsula.

Ms Gillard was speaking alongside Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings ahead of a trip to the devastated township of Dunalley, where buildings were reduced to rubble as the bushfire tore through late on Friday.

Yesterday police said about 100 people were listed as missing, but that number is being reduced as people are found safe.

Police have done preliminary searches of almost 250 burnt-out properties in the worst-hit areas on the Tasman Peninsula and say no bodies have been found.

About 65 people will today sift through the remains of buildings and cars, concentrating on the more densely-forested area south of Dunalley to Murdunna and Sommers Bay.

Hundreds of insurance claims totalling $26 million have already been placed for the loss of homes, businesses, vehicles and holiday shacks.

The Prime Minister spoke to fire authorities at their Cambridge headquarters, in Hobart's east, this morning, before speaking to reporters.

"I've come to Tasmania today for one purpose, and that's to say to the people of Tasmania that the nation is standing with them at this very, very difficult time," she said.

"We'll be standing with them in every way. Indeed, I've already met today Victorians and people from New South Wales who have come to work in support of their friends in Tasmania as Tasmania continues to fight these fires... I've met Victorians here today who were assisted by Tasmanians when Victoria faced the 2009 devastating bushfires. They feel like they're returning a favour. I think they're showing great Australian mateship at what is an incredibly difficult time."

She said the Federal Government had triggered emergency payments to help families in the disaster, and said the Defence Force was also assisting.

Map: Tasman Peninsula bushfires

Ms Giddings said weather forecasts indicated the state would get a "slight reprieve over the next couple of days" but said the fire danger was still not over.

"It's very important that people remain vigilant and very careful and continue to stick to their fire plans and continue to do what's in the best interests for their families."

Today rising temperatures and strengthening winds prompted the Tasmanian Fire Service (TFS) to issue new warnings for people at Dodges Ferry and White Beach, in the state's south-east.

TFS spokesman Phil Douglas said there was no immediate threat, but affected communities need to be alert between now and midday.

"What we're asking people to do is for those people who are around the Dodges Ferry Fire Station and north of the Dodges Ferry Fire Station through to the junction at Forcett with the Arthur Highway, all those people to remain alert," he said.